Romantic places in Scotland

When it comes to romantic locations, there aren’t many lovelier than bonnie Scotland.

With a range of landscapes to choose from, there are many exceptional settings for a memorable date, to spend time with a loved one, or even to pop the question.

From Highland beaches more at home in the Caribbean, to picturesque cityscapes from an old volcano, via some of the darkest skies you’ll ever see – we’ve found the most romantic places in Scotland:

City - Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh:

Arthur’s Seat offers something rather unique; a hilly, country walk in the heart of a beautiful city. The “Seat”, Holyrood Park’s highest point, is an ancient volcano that sits 251m above sea level, giving excellent views out across Edinburgh. The group of hills were described by Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design". Pack a picnic as, after the walk to the top, you’ll want to savour the views. It’s also one of the most popular places to propose in Edinburgh, just so you know…

Forest - Galloway Forest Park:

Often referred to as 'the Highlands of the Lowlands', these three hundred square miles of rolling glens and hills are comprised of ancient woodland, wonderful wildlife and splendid scenery. It’s perfect for those who are active, with fantastic walking routes and cycling trails for both beginners and more experienced cyclists. Or, if you’d much rather take time out and just be with your better half, take a seat next to the peaceful lochs and just soak up the tranquil atmosphere. It’s also one of the darkest places in Scotland, recently becoming the first UK national park to be honoured with Dark Sky Park status – one of only three in Europe.

Mountain - Nevis Range Gondola:

The UK’s only mountain gondola transports visitors 650m up the mountain of Aonach Mor. The journey takes 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to look out and admire the wonderful scenery of the Nevis Range, its surrounding lochs, glens and mountains. Try to visit on a clear day as, once you’re at the top, you have a choice of two walks to viewpoints which offer stunning vistas as far as the Inner Hebrides. The Snowgoose restaurant and bar will also be waiting for you at the top, with its extensive menu and satisfying bites it will undoubtedly impress your date.

Beach - The Silver Sands of Morar:

If you were just looking at a photograph, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Silver Sands of Morar, with its white shores and cyan seas, were in the Balearics or somewhere equally tropical. However, the series of immaculate beaches can be found a thousand miles away in the Scottish Highlands, sprinkled along the coastline from Arisaig to Morar. Easily accessible and offering a range of romantic walks, you’ll marvel over remarkable views out to the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna.

Night - Northern Lights:

You can’t get much more romantic than Aurora Borealis – or the Northern Lights, to give them their common name. This phenomenon is caused when solar wind from the sun collides with magnetic particles in Earth’s atmosphere, creating radiant streaks of green, purple, pink and red across the night sky. With its proximity to the Arctic Circle and dark skies, the north of Scotland is probably the best place in the UK to spot the Northern Lights. The Caithness coast, the Orkney Isles and the Outer Hebrides are all prime light-spotting territory, with January the best time – so you might still be lucky in February!

Journey - the Jacobite Steam Train

The iconic steam train heads off from Fort William to Mallaig, offering a lovely way to relax, sip champagne and gaze out in awe as some of the most stunning sights flash by your window. You may well recognise part of the journey, over the Glenfinnan viaduct, from the popular Harry Potter movies. Sometimes the train pauses on the viaduct, allowing views over Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument, but that’s not the only highlight of the journey. The journey also takes in Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater loch in Britain and River Morar, while it also stops in the village of Glenfinnan, giving travellers a chance to stretch their legs.